V845 boys' soccer all-stars

Sunday

Dec 9, 2012 at 2:00 AM

Check out who made the grade.

William Montgomery

School: Washingtonville

Position: Midfield

Grade: Senior

Highlights: A four-year varsity player and a team captain, Aussenheimer scored eight goals and had 15 assists, leading the Wizards to a Section 9 title for the first time since 2000. Had one goal and one assist in a Section 9 Class AA semifinal against Wallkill and scored the game-winning goal in an victory over Corning in the state playoffs.

The future: Hopes to play college soccer, but has not made a decision.

Favorite moment: "It has to be winning the section final. It was honestly one of the greatest moments of my life."

Quotable: "Versatile. Can play in Division I. Has played left back, left midfield and forward. Very technical." — Washingtonville head coach Joe Chiavaro

School: Middletown

Position: Defense

Grade: Senior

Highlights: Benitez was the leader of Middletown's defense. The Middies, who had played through a winless season in 2010, rebounded to qualify for a Section 9 playoff berth in 2012. Benitez scored three goals.

The future: Plans to play college soccer and major in engineering, with Binghamton University, University at Albany and SUNY Ulster among his top choices.

Favorite moment: "When we beat Newburgh at home, 1-0. It was a really good game. It was a really hard-fought game. There was a lot of tension. For us to beat them at home, it was something else. ... Seeing my team, how happy they were and how that game was what guaranteed playoffs for us was beyond comprehension. I'll never forget that moment."

Quotable: "Stewart was a captain, leader by example and vocal director of the defense. He has a physical presence at 6-foot tall and 180 pounds in addition to his technical and tactical capabilities. He is a strong defender that can successfully attack." — Middletown head coach Pat Kennedy

School: Warwick

Position: Forward Grade: Junior

Highlights: Bourne was one of the most prolific large-school strikers in Section 9, scoring 15 goals and three assists. He also had a flair for the dramatic, scoring both of his team's goals in an overtime loss to Washingtonville in the Section 9 Class AA semifinals.

The future: Will return for his senior season. Visiting several Division I schools this winter.

Favorite moment: "When I was playing against Washingtonville and we were down already by two, but I came back and scored two goals. Even though we lost that game, it was still a great game. We had fun. We were happy that Washingtonville went on, but I wish Warwick had gone on longer."

Quotable: "He's a dynamic player. He's got great speed and he's got a great attitude. He works hard." — Warwick head coach John Van Pelt

School: Newburgh Free Academy

Position: Defense

Grade: Senior

Highlights: After heavy losses to graduation, Catania was forced into action in the Goldbacks' backfield and became one of the area's top sweepers. He held opposing strikers off the scoreboard and often kept NFA in low-scoring games.

The future: Is still talking with college coaches and is close to making a decision as to where he'll play.

Favorite moment: "When my team played MLK (Martin Luther King, Jr.) in the city this year. They played amazing. It was the best soccer I've ever seen my team, or an NFA team at that, play. Even though we lost, it showed a lot about the team. We acted like we won almost after the game because of how well everyone played."

Quotable: "He didn't play defense at all last year. He was more of a midfielder, playing outside and up front. With the loss of our entire defense we switched him there and he accepted it. He said he'd do whatever the team needed him to do." — NFA head coach Matt Iorlano

School: Newburgh Free Academy

Position: Midfield

Grade: Senior

Highlights: NFA's defensive midfielder, Cuervo scored three goals and had two assists. His biggest role was in helping cut off the offensive attacks of the opponents.

The future: Has been in contact with college coaches, but is also considering playing academy soccer in Mexico.

Favorite moment: "Against Monroe when I gave an assist to Cesar Grados off a corner kick. I gave him a pass, I centered it to the first post and he just headed it in and we won that game. It was an intense game."

Quotable: "The kid was a total workhorse. The speed he ended the game with was the same speed he started the game with. He was all over the field." — NFA head coach Matt Iorlano.

School: S.S. Seward

Position: Forward

Grade: Junior

Highlights: Gardiner was one of the best goal-scorers in Section 9, finishing with 22 goals. He also had 11 assists. Seward was undefeated through its first 17 games before falling to Rhinebeck in the Section 9 Class C final.

The future: Back for senior season.

Favorite moment: "My goal against a team I don't remember. I came down the left side and cut in to the middle and hit this shot from 30 yards out, right over the goalie's head. I think it was my best shot of the year, the farthest one out there."

Quotable: "James did a terrific job scoring goals for us this year all while playing a new position, center forward. James is big and physical yet has the skill and finishing touch to give a defense fits." — S.S. Seward head coach Bill Steele

School: Newburgh Free Academy

Position: Forward

Grade: Senior

Highlights: Grados was Newburgh's biggest offensive threat with striker Rodrigo Guerra sidelined for most of the season with a back injury. Grados scored eight goals and six assists. He was also valuable in his ability to switch between the forward and midfield positions.

The future: Hopes to play Division I soccer, but may play two years at the junior college level first.

Favorite moment: "When we were playing against Monroe and we were tied 0-0 with 11 minutes left in the second half. My teammate, Christian Cuervo, had a chance to cross the ball and I was able to read it and get my head out to it and hit it to the far post and it went in."

Quotable: "He played up front and he played some midfield. Wherever we needed him. We used him wherever we had an advantage against our opponent." — NFA head coach Matt Iorlano

School: Washingtonville

Position: Midfield

Grade: Senior

Highlights: LaTouche finished the season with 11 goals and seven assists, but he really rose to the occasion in the postseason. He scored two goals in the Section 9 Class AA semifinals, had one goal in the championship game and added one assist in the first round of the state playoffs.

The future: Plans on playing college soccer.

Favorite moment: "Definitely that winning goal in the section finals against Monroe. It was unbelievable. It's something I'll never forget. Me and Kev (Aussenheimer) both have the goal saved on our phones and we watch it daily. ... It's something I'll truly never forget. It's awesome."

Quotable: "He has played sweeper, midfield and forward. Another versatile and very technical player who can play in Division I." — Washingtonville head coach Joe Chiavaro

School: Monroe-Woodbury

Position: Defense

Grade: Senior

Highlights: Nastu was the main stopper on a defense that won six straight games by shutout leading up to the Section 9 Class AA final against Washingtonville. He also had four goals; was named team MVP.

The future: Has not committed to a college but does plan to play soccer at the next level.

Favorite moment: "Probably beating Newburgh to win the division, 1-0, in overtime. It was an unforgettable moment for not just me, but the whole team."

Quotable: "I find him to be one of the finest players in Section 9. I think his skills, by far, surpass most players. I think his reputation in the section is pretty impeccable. He's a dominant force on the defense. He's a great distributor. He's a great team player, a great motivator.—" Monroe-Woodbury head coach Pat Bulla

School: Monroe-Woodbury

Position: Goalkeeper

Grade: Senior

Highlights: Pasquariello had 11 shutouts, which was partly a credit to the defense in front of him, but also largely based on his skills in net. In the Section 9 Class AA semifinals against Newburgh, Pasquariello made nine saves in a 1-0 victory, leading the Crusaders to a second straight appearance in the section final.

The future: Is considering a handful of Division I offers.

Favorite moment: "Beating Newburgh in the semifinal. The energy was so high after Yacin Tmimi scored the winning goal. Being with my teammates after that after losing to them last year in the final just made us all so happy and proud of our team and the way we worked this season."

Quotable: "Nico was a driving force in the success of the program this year. He had 11 shutouts this season. I think he's probably considered to be the finest goalie in the section. I especially won't forget how well he played in the postseason against Newburgh. He was unbelievable for us." — Monroe-Woodbury head coach Pat Bulla

School: S.S. Seward

Position: Midfield

Grade: Senior

Highlights: Smith did score 51 points (16 goals, 19 assists), but he was really the facilitator in Seward's high-powered offense more than he was a finisher around the net. The Spartans, Section 9 Class C runners-up, were ranked No. 13 in the final state poll.

The future: Has yet to make a college decision. Could play soccer, basketball and/or baseball at the next level.

Favorite moment: "When I scored at Tuxedo for one of our students (Elizabeth Gorshack) that had Favorite moment: "When I scored passed away."

Quotable: "Kevin has been the heart and soul of our team the past two seasons. He is our engine as the central midfielder and he will be hard to replace." — S.S. Seward head coach Bill Steele

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